“I also run a B&B in Lecco” – Conca reveals new jobs behind Italian National Championships win
Cycling
Something remarkable happened at the Italian National
Championships this weekend: a rider without a professional contract beat the
country’s biggest stars. Filippo Conca, once a WorldTour pro and now a club level
racer, defied all expectations to take the tricolore jersey, completing one of
the most improbable wins in recent Italian cycling history.
Conca, 26, had quietly slipped out of the WorldTour last
year after four seasons riding for Lotto Soudal and Q36.5. “There were a lot of
pros who found themselves out on a limb, only a very few got back into the
sport,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Most of the guys like me are working now, but I also run a
B&B in Lecco, I got my boating license to do boat tours, and I would like
to open a bike rental shop.” Somehow, between side hustles and studies, he
recently completed an Economics degree, Conca kept riding and dreaming.
His performance at the weekend was a masterclass in seizing
an opportunity. While the major teams marked each other and failed to commit
fully, Conca stayed clear. The result stunned not just fans, but the
professional peloton itself.
“Teams have to work for their leaders, there’s nothing wrong
with that,” Conca said. “But when you spend your time fighting fires in a race
and having to fill in the gaps, you risk, being left high and dry.”
The result also left an impression on Filippo Ganna, Italy’s
biggest name and the favourite going into the race. Ganna, who admitted to
suffering from illness, didn’t hide his disappointment. “It’s a destabilising
result for the Italian professional squads,” he said. “Cycling is going to lose
a lot, because only the winner counts.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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